The price of gold has also experienced a sudden spike in recent months, while the national currency, the rial, has been devalued by close to 100 percent against foreign currencies.

Many religious leaders have called on people to reduce their consumption of chicken. Officials of the Poultry Farmers Union say a shortage of feed is responsible for the rise in prices, but the Ministry of Industry, Mining and Commerce rejects the statement, saying there is sufficient livestock feed in the country. ISNA had reported earlier that the administration was planning to meet with the president to discuss rising chicken prices, but the meeting was later cancelled indefinitely.